An anatomically correct chocolate sculpture of Jesus dubbed “My Sweet Lord” by artist Cosimo Cavallaro was recently unveiled at the Lab Gallery inside Manhattan’s Roger Smith Hotel. Many people have been needlessly infuriated by this portrayal of divinity in a world already roiling with infuriation and hatred. Although rendering Jesus in chocolate may not rival Michelangelo’s marble Pieta, artists should be granted certain latitude, and we really should be slow to anger in all things.
Personally, I like to think that since we are made in God’s image, and since humor is a human trait, the idea of a chocolate Jesus is, well, pretty funny. And I also think that there is a lot of religion in our world today that takes itself way too seriously. For instance, no fatwas will be issued against Cosimo for his chocolate Jesus sculpture.
I just watched the movie Cool Hand Luke for about the fiftieth time. (You think nobody can watch a movie fifty times? Try eating fifty eggs). When Luke receives word that his mother has died, he grabs a banjo and sings a song which seems apropos to the concept of a sweet lord. Of course, the lyrics needed some updating:
Well, I don't care if it rains or freezes,
long as I’ve got my chocolate Jesus
waitin’ in my basket Easter morn
comes in flavors, sweet and pleasant,
nougat centers, are all fragrant
take Him with you when you are careworn.
Get yourself a sweet Madonna
her virtue’s pure, she’s sittin' on a
pedestal of crunchy candy shell
artists’ statements, they ain't scary
'cause we've got the Virgin Mary,
assurin' us that we won't go to Hell.
Get yourself a sense of humor
God loves fools, well that’s the rumor
sent His son to save us all from sin
a chocolate statue of the savior
won’t make my faith grow any weaker
I have to laugh, and Jesus may just grin.
Here is what the Dalai Lama once said about spiritual needs:
“Human beings naturally possess different interests. So, it is not surprising that we have many different religious traditions with different ways of thinking and behaving. But this variety is a way for everyone to be happy. If we have a great variety of food, we will be able to satisfy different tastes and needs. When we only have bread, the people who eat rice are left out. And the reason those people eat rice is that rice is what grows best where they live.”
Personally, I like to think that since we are made in God’s image, and since humor is a human trait, the idea of a chocolate Jesus is, well, pretty funny. And I also think that there is a lot of religion in our world today that takes itself way too seriously. For instance, no fatwas will be issued against Cosimo for his chocolate Jesus sculpture.
I just watched the movie Cool Hand Luke for about the fiftieth time. (You think nobody can watch a movie fifty times? Try eating fifty eggs). When Luke receives word that his mother has died, he grabs a banjo and sings a song which seems apropos to the concept of a sweet lord. Of course, the lyrics needed some updating:
Well, I don't care if it rains or freezes,
long as I’ve got my chocolate Jesus
waitin’ in my basket Easter morn
comes in flavors, sweet and pleasant,
nougat centers, are all fragrant
take Him with you when you are careworn.
Get yourself a sweet Madonna
her virtue’s pure, she’s sittin' on a
pedestal of crunchy candy shell
artists’ statements, they ain't scary
'cause we've got the Virgin Mary,
assurin' us that we won't go to Hell.
Get yourself a sense of humor
God loves fools, well that’s the rumor
sent His son to save us all from sin
a chocolate statue of the savior
won’t make my faith grow any weaker
I have to laugh, and Jesus may just grin.
Here is what the Dalai Lama once said about spiritual needs:
“Human beings naturally possess different interests. So, it is not surprising that we have many different religious traditions with different ways of thinking and behaving. But this variety is a way for everyone to be happy. If we have a great variety of food, we will be able to satisfy different tastes and needs. When we only have bread, the people who eat rice are left out. And the reason those people eat rice is that rice is what grows best where they live.”
For some of us, chocolate grows best where we live. And if chocolate should actually be our salvation, God is merciful indeed.
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